1. Mask hudoq early - mid 20th century
Keyan/Kenyah people, East Kalimantan, Borneo
Carved wood, pigment and rattan, mirror, Height 46cm
This old mask displays a fine example of the original fine scrolling Dayak paintwork

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Turtle Float ramau mid 20th century
South Siberut, Mentawai
Wood, Height 67cm
Floats such as these were tied to nets to prevent them from sinking and to signal when prey is caught. Three rare floats with figurative elements, one a beautifully rendered bilou gibbon

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Turtle Float ramau mid 20th century
South Siberut, Mentawai
Wood, Height 56cm

 

 

 

 

 

4. Turtle Float ramau mid 20th century
South Siberut, Mentawai
Wood, Height 73cm

 

 

5. Textile ulos ragidup early 20th century Sold
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Cotton, Dimensions 260 x 125cm
The Toba Batak refer to the ragidup as the number one textile. Stitched together from three separate elements the middle panel may contain a variety of patterns while the end panels always contain elaborate supplementary weft patterning

 

 

 

6. Architectural panel munung early 20th century
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Carved wood, Height 94cm
Carved with the representation of a singa

 

 

 

 

 

7. Lute hasapi early 20th century
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Carved wood, Length 81cm
Part of traditional batak music ensembles which traditionally preformed during ritual activity.
hasapi are often topped with small seated or kneeling figures with hands placed on knees such as this example

 

 

 

 

 

8. Textile with lizard design lau pahuda contemporary Sold
East Sumba,
Cotton, Dimensions 218 x 62cm
This cloth features anthropomorphic lizard designs

 

 

 

 

 

9. Mask early 20th century
Atoni people, West Timor
Wood, Height 46cm
The function of such masks are said to have been worn in ceremonies of military victory. The black sooty patination indicates they are stored in the beams of the house

 

 

 

10. Head Cloth tumtuman early 20th century
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Cotton, Dimensions 125 x 52cm

 

 

 

 

 

11. Tomb door, early 20th century
Sa’dan Toraja people, South Sulawesi
Carved wood with mildewed patination, Height 50 cm
Doors such as this one guard the entrance to tombs. The buffalo is a symbol of wealth and prestige among the Toraja people

 

 

 

 

 

12. Textile ulos mangiring? mid 20th century
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Cotton, Dimensions 190 x 80cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

13. Roof finials, mid 20th century
Kodi, West Sumba
Carved wood, Height 77cm & 79cm
House roof finials representing the ancestral male and female founders of the village offering protection

 

 

 

 

 

 

14. Textile alu hada contemporary
East Sumba,
Cotton, shell, glass beads, Dimensions 111cm
Women’s woven tubular sarong dyed in mud and sewn with cowries

 

 

 

15. Textile ulos mangiring? mid 20th century
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Cotton, Dimensions 160 x 72cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

16. Rice barn door pintun jambur Door early 20th century Sold
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Carved wood, Height 98 cm
Door with the relief carving of a gecko. The cicak (gecko) represents the guardian of the house and is considered a fertility symbol.

 

 

 

 

 

 

17. Textile nagi hotang early - mid 20th century
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Cotton, Dimensions 170 x 132cm

 

 

 

 

 

18. Singa pair early 20th century
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Carved wood, Height 47 and 48cm
Representing a the underworld creature that supports the earth the singa portrays a humanised dragon/horse head the open mouth with firey tounge. The singa is borrowed from hindu tradition originally meaning lion
This pair originally formed part of a traditional house

 

 

 

 

 

 

19. Container kitang early 20th century
Karo Batak, North Sumatra
Bamboo, wood and horn
Height 32cm, Bamboo vessel used to carry tuak fermented palm wine

 

 

 

 

 

 

20. Pair of lime container tagan early 20th century
Karo Batak, North Sumatra
Bamboo wood and horn, Height 18cm
This type with a flat lid was used by men

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21. Container abal-abal 19th - early 20th century
Karo Batak, North Sumatra
Bamboo and rattan, Height 16cm
Container for medicine

 

 

 

 

 

 

22. Container abal-abal 19th - early 20th century
Karo Batak, North Sumatra
Bamboo and wood, Height 12cm
Container for medicine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23. Lime container tagan early 20th century
Karo Batak, North Sumatra
Bamboo wood and horn, Height 18cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

24. Container abal-abal 19th - early 20th century
Karo Batak, North Sumatra
Bamboo, wood and horn, Height 16cm
Used to store small objects salt or tobacco

 

 

 

 

 

 

25. Textile hinggi contemporary
East Sumba
Cotton, Dimensions 280 x 83cm
Mens blanket featuring lizard motif

 

 

 

 

 

 

26. Male and Female ancestor figure ana deo early 20th Century
Nage people, Flores
Carved wood, Height 65cm & 73cm
Male and female figures such as these represent the founding members of the lineage of the community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27 & 28. Coconut bowls early - mid 20th century
Kayan/Kenyah people, East Kalimantan
Coconut shell, Height 14 & 10cm
These elaborately carved coconut shells were used for storage vessels and drinking cups

 

 

 

 

 

29. Baby carrier hallat 20th century
Keyan/Kenyah people, East Kalimantan, Borneo
Beads, rattan, wood, shell and brass bells, Height 28cm
The bead panel represents a protective monster face udoq an underworld symbol offering protection to the child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

30. Sarong kewatek nai telo contempory Sold
Nage, Flores
Handspun cotton, Dimensions 280 x 83cm

 

 

 

 

 

31. Sword piso 19th century
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Carved wood, iron, Length 67cm
Surmounted by a superbly carved janus figure

 

 

 

 

 

 

32. Sword mandau early 20th century
Keyan people, East Kalimantan, Borneo
Iron, wood, bone, antler, fibre, shell, Length 70cm
Dayak warriors traditionally carried such swords for prestige and during warfare

 

 

 

 

 

 

33. Sword 19th century
Timor
Carved horn and iron, Height 64cm
Traditional weapon from Timor

 

 

 

 

 

34. Necklace early - mid 20th century
Nias
Silver, Length 67cm
Said to symbolize solidarity and egality

 

 

 

 

 

 

35. Textile alu hada contemporary
East Sumba
Cotton, shell, glass beads, Dimensions 117cm
Women’s woven tubular sarong with shell design of a human figure scorpions and lizards

 

 

 

 

 

 

36. Mask early to mid 20th century
Atoni people, West Timor
Wood, Height 37cm
Hand held mask from the Atoni tribe of West Timor the open mouth originally inset with wooden teeth

 

 

 

 

 

 

37. Textile ragi honang? early 20th century
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Cotton and beads, Dimensions 220 x 90cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38. Wooden bowl, early to mid 20th Century
West Sumba
Carved wood, Dimensions 90cm x 41cm
Large wooden rice bowl surmounted with an expressively carved human head

 

 

 

 

39. Textile ragi honang early 20th century
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Cotton, Dimensions 220 x 120cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40. Mask hudoq early - mid 20th century
Keyan/Kenyah people, East Kalimantan, Borneo
Carved wood, polychrome, rattan, beads, mirror, Height 48cm
The hudoq mask is a composite dragon/hornbill. Young men wearing painted masks would perform the hudoq dance impersonating spirits who come to earth to bless and protect the harvest. This mask shows a long history of use as can been seen be the repainting on its surface and the addition of sequin and beads

 

 

 

 

 

41. Zoomorphic figure
Napu people, Central Sulawesi
Terracotta, Height 30cm
Male with zoomorphic features found buried in caves

 

 

 

 

 

 

42. Architectural panel munung early 20th century
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Carved wood with traces of polychrome, Height 60cm
Carved with the representation of a singa

 

 

 

 

 

 

43. Zoomorphic figure
Napu people, Central Sulawesi
Terracotta, Height 23cm
Male with zoomorphic features

 

 

 

 

 

44. Zoomorphic figure
Napu people, Central Sulawesi
Terracotta, Height 25cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

45. Singa pair early 20th century
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Carved wood plychrome, Height 33 and 34cm

 

 

 

 

 

46. Earring padung 19th century
Karo Batak, North Sumatra
Silver with gold inlaid design,Height 15.5cm
Used as a headdress ornament these earrings were supported by the wearer’s headcloth. The double spiral motif has its origins in the ancient Dongson culture

 

 

 

 

 

 

47. Pair of earrings karadu kudung-kudung 19th - early 20th century
Karo Batak, North Sumatra
Gilded silver, Height 13cm
Traditionally worn by aristocratic women at major adat rituals.

 

 

 

 

 

48. Pair of earrings karadu kudung-kudung 19th - early 20th century
Karo Batak, North Sumatra
Gilded silver, Height 13.5 cm

 

 

 

 

 

49. Ring cincin tapak gaja early 20th century Sold
Karo Batak, North Sumatra
Gilded silver, Height 4cm
These traditional rings of karo origin served many purposes such as decorative amulets, as tools for sorcerers and some were said to act as containers for magic potions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50, 51 & 52. Necklace kalung berahmeni 19th century
Karo Batak, North Sumatra
Silver, Length 53cm, 43cm, 34cm
These necklaces were given to young girls as an initial bridewealth gift to ensure the success of their eventual marriage

 

 

 

53. Figure hampatong early - mid 20th century
Keyan/Kenyah people, East Kalimantan, Borneo
Carved wood, Height 147cm
Hampatong or protective figures guard the entrance to traditional Dayak villages dispelling evil spirits and bringing good fortune

 

 

 

 

 

54. Loom element early-mid 20th Century
West Sumba
Carved wood and buffalo horn, Height 28cm
Used in the production of cotton for the ikat weaving

 

 

 

 

 

 

55. Female ancestor figure ana deo early 20th Century
Lio people, Flores
Carved wood with red trade cloth, Height 27cm

 

 

 

 

 

56. Male and Female ancestor figure ana deo early 20th Century
Lio people, Flores
Carved wood with red trade cloth, Height 35cm & 36cm.
This pair of ana deo are from the Lio tribe located in eastern Flores and display a refined naturalism as opposed to the more expressive qualities of Ngada and Nage works from western Flores which fulfil a similar function

 

 

 

 

 

57. Belt 19th century
Batak, North Sumatra
Silver, Length 84m
Buckle with floral motif. The style of these belts displays the influence of Straits Chinese silverwork.

 

 

 

 

 

 

58. Silver curtain hook 19th - early 20th century
Collected Sulawesi, Straits chinese silver
Silver gilt, Height 24 cm
The traditionally wedding bed of Peranakan Chinese was a large 4 – poster double bed. Such hooks supported profusely embroidered silk and satin drapes hung for privacy

 

 

 

 

59. Belt 19th - early 20th century
Batak, North Sumatra
Silver, Length 78 cm
Buckle with fish motif.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60, 61 & 62. Earrings 19th - early 20th century
Straits Chinese silver, Collected Sulawesi
Silver, Height 4cm, 4cm & 3.5 cm
The style of these earrings displays the influence of Straits Chinese silverwork.

 

 

 

 

 

63. Lute, early to mid 20th Century
Kodi, West Sumba
Carved wood, Height 41cm
This small lute is surmounted by an anthropomorphic bust

 

 

 

 

 

 

64. Mamouli with monkeys 19th - early 20th century
Gilded Silver, Height 7cm
In Sumba mamouli are used as bride wealth, part of the marriage exchange of goods. Larger finely decorated mamouli were part of the royal treasuries and were seen as wholly heirloom objects that were passed down through the family line under the ritual control of the raja and his priest
Mamouli can be worn as pendants earrings or even pinned to the traditional costume

 

 

 

 

 

 

65. Mamouli with spiral design early to mid 20th century
East Sumba
Brass, Height 7 cm

 

 

 

 

 

66. Mamouli floral design 19th - early 20th century
East Sumba
Guilded Silver, Height 4.5 cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

67. Mamouli with rooster design early to mid 20th century
East Sumba
Silver, Height 8cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

68. Mamouli with rooster design early to mid 20th century
East Sumba
Brass and copper, Height 6 cm

 

 

 

 

 

69. Mamouli with stylised rooster head design early to mid 20th century
East Sumba
Brass, Height 7 cm

 

 

 

 

 

70. Mamouli or woridi early 20th century Sold
Sumba
Gilt silver, Height 5.5 cm
This gold ornament with a modified mamouli shape bears a strong resemblance to the Flores wea

 

 

 

 

 

71. Earrings 19th – early 20th century Sold
South Moluccas, Tanimbar
Silver, Height 2cm
Used as a gift between marriage alliance partners

 

 

 

 

 

 

72. Rice guardian figure agom early to mid 20th century
Iban people, Sarawak
Wood, Height 50 cm
Iban carve protective figures to guard their rice - carved as pointed stakes which are inserted into the ground after the rice has been planted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

73. Rice guardian pair agom early to mid 20th century
Iban people, Sarawak
Wood, Height 42 cm 35cm

 

 

 

 

 

74 & 79. Pendant taka early 20th century
Ngada people, Flores
Silver, Height 6cm, 5.5 cm
Pendant in a double axe- head shape worn by men or women, can be used as part of bride price.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

75, 76 80, 81. Earrings wea early 20th century
Lio people, Flores
Silver some with black thread still attached, Height 5cm, 5cm, 3.5cm, 3.5cm
Earrings such as these from part of the teokinga, the collection of jewellery and other valuables that a bride brings with her to the marriage

 

 

 

 

 

77. Bracelet 19th – early 20th century
West or Central Timor
Silver, Height 6.5cm
The central element this bracelet is a representation of the traditional adat house – the house for the ancestors of the clan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

78. Bracelet 19th – early 20th century
West or Central Timor
Silver, Height 7.5cm
Silver “bracelet” meant to be worn around the clutched fingers of the female dancer.
The central element in this bracelet is a representation of a bud or flower

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

82, 83, 84 & 85. Earrings 19th – early 20th century
Tetum people, Central Timor
Silver, Height 6.5cm, 6cm 4cm, 4cm
The Tetum marriage alliance system involved the exchange of considerable amounts of metal goods including these beautifully cast earrings

 

 

 

 

 

86. Cotton block, early to mid 20th Century
Kodi, West Sumba
Carved wood, Height 36cm
Used in the preparation of cotton for ikat weaving

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

87. Rice spoon early - mid 20th century
Kayan/Kenyah people, East Kalimantan
Wood, Height 33cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

88. Medicine container perminaken 19th century
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Carved wood, gourd and woven fibre, Height 21cm
The datu (Batak shaman) used a variety of containers to store magical substances and medicine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

89. Ammunition holder paru-paru
Karo Batak people, North Sumatra
Carved buffalo horn, Length 21cm
Ammunition holders like these are sometimes called baba ni onggang because of their resemblance to the beak of the hornbill. The round lead bullet is removed by bending the prongs open. These examples are profusely decorated with floral and abstract motifs common to Batak iconography

 

 

 

 

 

 

90. Ammunition holder paru-paru 19th century
Karo Batak people, North Sumatra
Carved buffalo horn, Length 19cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

91. Comb early to mid 20th century
Timor
Horn, Height 17cm
The two main ethnic groups of Timor Atoni and Tetum both share the custom of numerous ornaments. It is difficult to attribute items such as this to one group or the other. It is said that both acquire the products of itinerant jewellery smiths from the small island of Sabu

 

 

 

 

 

92. Food dish dulang, early 20th century
Sa’dan Toraja people, South Sulawesi
Carved wood, with buffalo horn, Height 24 cm
This elegant vessel is a fine example of Torajan material culture. Food dish used by members of the higher class. The height of the base signifies the social status of the owner

 

 

 

 

 

 

93. Book pustaka 19th Century
Toba Batak, North Sumatra
Bark, pigment, Height 7cm
The Toba Batak shaman datu is unique in tribal Indonesia because he utilises writing as a means for recording sacred information. Shamanic writings and diagrams usually concern time, they are often calendars used to note auspicious days or to predict the future. These books are usually bound with a wooden cover, however these rare books contains some impressive magical diagrams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

94. Book pustaka 19th Century Sold
Toba Batak, North Sumatra
Bark, pigment, Height 12cm

 

 

 

 

 

95. Tuntun early - mid 20th century
Iban people, Sarawak
Carved wood, Height 53cm
Iban hunters used measuring sticks to determine the proper height for the trip wire used in animal traps set in the jungle.
The figures atop the tuntun represent spirits with the ability to intervene on behalf of humans

 

 

 

 

 

 

96. Tuntun early 20th century
Iban people, Sarawak
Carved wood, Height 58cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

97. Tuntun early - mid 20th century
Iban people, Sarawak
Carved wood, Height 55cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

98. Breastplate with central bose 19th – early 20th century
West or Central Timor
Silver, Width 14cm
Throughout the Lesser Sundas men and women wore breastplates suspended from the neck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

99. Breastplate with motif worked in repousse 19th – early 20th century
West or Central Timor
Silver, Width 9cm

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100. Head ornament sangori early 20th century
Central Sulawesi
Stamped brass, Width 23cm
Brass spirals in the forms of snakes were used as head ornaments by a variety of groups in Central Sulawesi. Used in curing rights and worn by shamens there were also associated with ancestor veneration

 

 

 

 

101. Coconut grater early - mid 20th century Sold
Keyan/Kenyah people, East Kalimantan, Borneo
Carved wood with Iron element
Length 60cm
The iron element used for grating the coconut protrudes from a crouching aso/dog creature; a motif common to the Kayan/Kenyah group

 

 

 

 

102. Female house post finial ana deo early 20th Century
Nage people, Flores
Carved wood, Height 43 cm
House post section was originally part of a pair that flanked the entrance to the ceremonial house

 

 

 

103. Head ornament sangori early 20th century
Central Sulawesi
Stamped brass, Width 20cm
Brass spirals in the forms of snakes were used as head ornaments by a variety of groups in Central Sulawesi. Used in curing rights and worn by shamans there were also associated with ancestor veneration. This rare and dynamic example portrays the snake naga in profile

 

 

 

 

 

 

104. Head ornament 20th century
Kayan/Kenyah people, East Kalimantan
Brass, Height 13cm
Brass ornament for the top of the Dayak warriors hat with openwork design featuring a pair of aso

 

 

 

105. Seated figure early - mid 20th century
Kayan/Kenyah people, East Kalimantan
Carved wood, Height 26cm
Guardian figure from a house post

 

 

 

 

106. Sarong kewatek nai telo contemporary
Central Flores
Cotton, Dimensions 160 x 110cm

 

 

 

 

 

Sold

107 & 108. Vest 20th century
Ache
Cotton
Height 40cm

 

 

 

 

109. Sarong kewatek nai telo contemporary
Central Flores
Cotton, Dimensions 175 x 71cm

 

 

 

 

110. Textile ulos ragidup early 20th century
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Cotton, Dimensions 203 x 102cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

111. Post top hampatong early – mid 20th century
Kayan/Kenyah people, East Kalimantan
Carved wood, Height 44cm
Post top representing the aso/dragon dog carved in iron wood and placed outside the community longhouse. The varied patina of lichen and mould is testament to the years spent in the elements

 

 

 

 

 

112. House element early 20th century
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Carved wood, Length 92cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

113. Figure female mid 20th century
Iban people, Sarawak
Carved wood, Height 40cm
The female figure may have been used as an agom, carved of light wood but perhaps was used against sickness

 

 

 

 

 

114. Female figure agom early to mid 20th century
Iban people, Sarawak
Carved wood, Height 50cm
There are two kinds of agom – the first to protect the growing rice, the second to protect the harvested rice from malevolent spirits or animals such as rats and insects

 

 

 

 

 

 

115. House element early 20th century
Toba Batak people, North Sumatra
Carved wood, Length 80cm

 

 

 

 

 

116. Basket 20th century
Iban people, Sarawak
Wood cane, Height 66cm

 

 

 

117. Man’s blanket early - mid 20th century
Timor
Cotton, Dimensions 248cm x 100cm irregular

 

 

 

 

 

118. Tobacco cutter early-mid 20th Century
Sumba
Wood and buffalo horn, Height 60cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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John Graham - Fine Tribal Art - Fine Tribal and Ethnographic Art 2010